Does Wisconsin have any gas left in the tank? After Kentucky knocked them out of last year's tournament, the Badgers were publicly hopeful of getting another shot at the Wildcats this year. They got it and took care of business. Can they get back up after a highly emotional game on Saturday night?
Duke defeated Michigan State by 10 on November 18. In the rematch on Saturday, the Blue Devils won by 20. Duke defeated Wisconsin by 10 in Madison on December 3. Will the same pattern hold true in this rematch?
Before the Wisconsin/Kentucky national semifinal, I said that for Wisconsin to win that Frank Kaminsky, Sam Dekker and Nigel Hayes must all play well PLUS one more Badger. Against Kentucky, it was Bronson Koenig. The same holds true tonight.
If Duke's Jahlil Okafor or either Frank Kaminsky or Sam Dekker for Wisconsin get in foul trouble, the opposing team will win the game.
With all the hoopla surrounding Kentucky's freshmen, its time to recognize that Duke's (likely) one-and-done trio of Jahlil Okafor, Justise Winslow, Tyus Jones plus Grayson Allen is a stronger group.
Biggest contrast in this game: Duke relies heavily on its freshmen (Okafor is thought to be the overall number one pick in the upcoming NBA draft) while Wisconsin is strong because of its player development (Kaminsky, a senior, played little in his first two seasons for the Badgers).
Both Bo Ryan (Wisconsin) and Mike Krzyzewski (Duke) are highly successful head coaches and were born 10 months apart in 1947. Both are recognized for their tactical, in-game coaching. Both have won multiple national championships. But here's the twist. Ryan won 4 Division III men's basketball championships with tiny Wisconsin-Plattville. Krzyzewski has won 4 men's national basketball championships at Division I Duke. Those achievements go alongside his two Olympic gold medals and two FIBA world championship golds. Coach K is in the Naismith Hall of Fame. Ryan found out today he is not part of this year's class. If Wisconsin wins tonight, it will only fortify his HOF credentials.
Is Wisconsin on a run of destiny? Yahoo Sports noted yesterday that if the Badgers win tonight, they will have had the toughest run through the tournament of any team ever. They will have played the better ranked team in each game of the tournament and come out with the victorious. And if they defeat Duke tonight, they become not only national champions but legends.
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